NASA successfully launched a groundbreaking mission from its Wallops Facility, in Virginia, during the total solar eclipse on April 8. Three sounding rockets soared into the sky as part of the Atmospheric Perturbations around the Eclipse Path (APEP) mission. Led by Aroh Barjatya, Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida, this mission aims to unravel the mysteries of how the sudden darkness during an eclipse impacts our upper atmosphere, called ionosphere.
On April 8, the total solar eclipse swept across North America, spanning Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
A total solar eclipse occurs as the moon moves between the earth and the sun, resulting in the sky becoming dark, mimicking dawn or dusk. According to the American space agency, this unique event provides scientists with an ideal opportunity to explore the effects of this temporary dimming on the ionosphere, a layer of the atmosphere critical for communication and satellite operations.
As per the Wallops facility, the launch window for the mission was from 2.40 pm to 4.05 pm EDT. The sounding rockets took flight at three distinct times: 45 minutes before, during, and 45 minutes after the peak local eclipse. The first rocket was launched at 2.40 pm EDT, followed by the second rocket at 3.25 pm EDT. Finally, the last rocket lifted off at 4.28 pm EDT, marking the completion of the mission.
The rockets were launched strategically before, during, and after the eclipse's peak to capture crucial data. By studying these changes, scientists hope to better understand how disturbances in the ionosphere could potentially interfere with our communication systems.
The APEP rockets are expected to reach a maximum altitude of 260 miles (420 kilometers).
The ionosphere, located 55 to 310 miles above Earth's surface, acts as a crucial boundary between our atmosphere and space. It consists of ionised particles, charged by solar radiation, and plays a significant role in satellite communications.
As per NASA, each rocket carried advanced instruments to measure particle density and magnetic fields, giving researchers a detailed picture of the ionosphere's response to the eclipse. By gathering this data, scientists can improve their ability to predict and manage potential disruptions to our communication systems.
With the next total solar eclipse not expected until 2044, these experiments are a rare opportunity for scientists to gather vital information for future scientific endeavors.
The sounding rockets, previously launched and recovered during the October 2023 annular solar eclipse at White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico, were refurbished with new instrumentation for their relaunch on April 8.
Also Read: Missed the total solar eclipse this year? You're in for a 20-year wait for next one from US
During the 2023 eclipse, scientists observed a significant decrease in charged particle density as the eclipse shadow passed over the atmosphere. Barjatya noted perturbations capable of affecting radio communications in the second and third rockets, but not the first. And, so the team eagerly anticipated relaunching the rockets during the total eclipse to assess perturbation consistency and altitude.
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